Plucky Bournemouth are doomed, and its been that way for all for a while

Bournemouth picked up their thirteenth defeat of the season at fellow strugglers Norwich City on Saturday, whilst simultaneously losing their Captain for three games for one of the saves of the season.

In lots of ways the Cherries 1-0 defeat summed up their season, mistakes at the back, lacklustre in front of goal and a clear lack of fitness in several key players. After loosing Nathan Ake earlier in the season, the teams back line has been stretched heavily and will now be pulled to bear strings as Steve Cook was given his marching orders by stretching his right arm to stop a shot from hitting the back of the net. Striker Callum Wilson made his return to the starting line up and looked well off the pace, struggling to back track and really wasn’t in the right place most of the time. To make it worse for the seasiders, their number one back up option right now is Dominic Solanke, a player who has zero league goals in 26 appearances.

Over the years, Bournemouth have made some very astute signings, bringing in Ake from Chelsea, turning Josh King into a more than viable striker and turning Ryan Fraser into one of the top goal creators in Europe for a short period of time, but it would appear that Eddie Howe’s luck has run out. Bringing in Solanke a year ago for £20 million with the hope of him being more than a backup has flopped quicker than a brick from a building being demolished and when your top two summer signings are Philip Billing, a midfielder from Huddersfield who previously struggled in the Premier League with them and Harry Wilson on loan, a kid who lit up the Championship but is untested in the top flight, often doesn’t bode well.

The small southern coast team have punched above their weight for a while and that’s full testament to the players and the management, but this side have been screaming out for someone to back up the ever unlucky Wilson and someone to properly partner Ake at the back, not to mention the constant issues in between the sticks. The way I see it, the Cherries will be playing in the second division next year unless they find some of that luck again its looks like their topflight dream may be at an end.